Five-year agreement increases support to Norwegian People's Aid

‘Norwegian People’s Aid and its local partners mean a great deal in the fight against poverty. The coronavirus crisis makes the job they do even more important, especially for minorities and vulnerable groups. Norwegian People’s Aid has achieved excellent results and is therefore receiving increased support through this new agreement,’ Mr Ulstein said.

The agreement’s economic framework of almost NOK 1 billion encompasses Norwegian People’s Aid activities in 17 developing countries. The support comes from a variety of areas within the development budget.

Norwegian People’s Aid is distinguished by a commitment to strengthening popular participation in the activities it undertakes. In cooperation with local partners it supports minorities, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups.

‘We know how important an active civil society is for development in any country. Norwegian People’s Aid’s cooperation with local actors should help to keep activities going despite difficult conditions as the coronavirus spreads and restrictions are introduced to limit infection. The virus will likely hit vulnerable groups the hardest, so enabling Norwegian People’s Aid to continue its work is vital,’ said the Minister of International Development.

The Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid, Henriette Killi Westhrin, said the new cooperation agreement is the organisation’s largest ever, providing it with a unique opportunity to promote democratisation and combat inequality.

‘Civil society has an especially crucial role to play during the Covid-19 pandemic,’ she said. ‘Our partners help to provide information and hinder transmission of the virus as well as to influence government crisis packages. But the agreement also has long-term importance by helping to strengthen broad-based community organising in 17 countries. Women and men, small farmers, slum dwellers, villagers, indigenous peoples and workers in the informal economy will now be able to increase their influence, affect public policy and resist discrimination,’ said Ms Westhrin.